Henleys/Zephyrs

MUST HAVES  |  SHIRTS  |  Henleys/Zephyrs

Firstly, I would like to apologise if a lot of my posts seem to have a rowing theme running through them! We are deep into regatta season and I find that I am training every hour available so it has consumed me somewhat of late! Nonetheless, rowing is a preppy sport so I still think that these posts are most relevant!

So in keeping with the prevailing rowing theme... I thought I'd post a paragraph or two on the Henley shirt, so named due to its popularity with rowers in Henley-on-Thames (home of the famous Henley Royal Regatta). Originally intended to be worn as an undergarment, the shirt became popular as a shirt choice for working class men as it was comfortable and allowed for a lower body temperature (a buttoned collar can raise the body temperature by several degrees). Rowing being an intense sport, the shirt became popular amongst the Henley crowd for similar reasons.

With long-sleeves, a pie-crust (I hate the term Nehru) collar and a placket of some ten centimeters, the Henley shirt is a smart casual shirt option that has become markedly popular over the last few years. I have several of these shirts and wear them often. They look great with shorts!

Short-sleeved versions are often known as Zephyr shirts and are still popular as rowing kit today (albeit made of a synthetic breathable material). Zephyrs with block striped collars and plackets are particularly preppy as they are synonymous with rowing. Rampant Sporting (formerly Lions Rampant - a great new British label that I must blog about) make great Zephyrs. Go to Godfrey if you're looking for one for rowing.